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Malaysia VIPC
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General Rules & Regulations

  • The Vivace International Piano Competition (VIPC) will take place in 2024, showcasing a diverse range of talents across various piano disciplines.
  • Eligibility: Open to pianists of all nationalities residing in North America. Applicants must participate in the category corresponding to their age as of January 1, 2024.
  • Multiple Entries: A candidate may enter only one category from Categories A to G. Only Categories D to F may choose to enter Artist Categories A.
  • Proof of Age: This will be asked when the candidate make it the the North American Final. Acceptable documents include a birth certificate, passport, or other government-issued ID.
  • Rights: The right of contestants’ audio-visual publicity and the right of participation in performances, concerts and other activities related to the competition is owned by the Organising Committee.
  • Committee Authority: The VIPC North America organizing committee reserves all rights to the rules and regulations of VIPC Singapore division.
  • Submission Method: Video submission.
  • Repertoire: Refer to repertoire requirements for each category.
  • Deadline: May 1st, 2024.

Venue:UBC Old Auditorium, 6344 Memorial Rd, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2

Date: June 29th, 2024

Venue:Opera Hall of Shanghai Conservatory of Music
Date: July 21 – 23, 2024

The international final is scheduled for summer 2025 in France.

Candidates with a grade higher than 85 in the North American final round are eligible for consideration to participate in the international final. Participation is not guaranteed due to limited capacity, and priority consideration is given to candidates with higher marks.

  • Scoring System: Each performance will be scored out of a total of 100 points.
  • Criteria for Grading: The adjudicators will base their scores on the quality of the artistry, technique, style, and stage presence, as well as on the technical difficulty level of the chosen repertoire.
  • Adjudicators' Decision: The decision of the adjudicators is final. The committee fully respects the adjudicators' judgments, yet acknowledges the possibility of administrative errors. If you have any concerns regarding your score, please feel free to contact the committee.
  • Ensuring Fairness: To promote fairness, the preliminary round will have two adjudicators, and the average of their scores will be taken. In the final round, performances will be evaluated by a panel of three adjudicators.
  • Feedback Transparency: To further the educational aspect of the competition, feedback from the adjudicators will be provided for each performance. This feedback aims to offer constructive insights for the participants' musical growth.

Notes

  • All repertoires must be performed from memory. Otherwise, 20% of the total scores will be deducted.
  • The notes shall not be played repeatedly except D. C. and D. S.
  • The judges may stop the performance of either piece for time reasons. Should this occur, it will in no way be detrimental to the scoring.
  • The judges have the final discretion on the result of the competition.
  • Music college students aged at 10 or above can only apply for the Excellence Category and non-music college students can have a free choice.
  • Competitors whose ages are at the threshold of 2 different categories may choose between the categories if their birthday falls AFTER the 27th of August.

    For example in the year of 2023:
  • If your 18th birthday falls on the 28th of August onwards, you may register for the Graduant category [or the Superior category if you wish]
  • If your 18th birthday falls on the 27th of August and before you can only opt for the Superior category

Grading Standards

First Prize: above 90 points

Second Prize: above 80 points

Third Prize: above 70 points

Excellence Award: Certificate

Potential Award: Certificate

Scholarship Award: Certificate

Note: The Organising Committee is entitled to merge the awards if participants of each group are less than 10.

Final competition in Paris and study tour expenses.
(10 days + 9 nights)

AGE (years)
Price per person in MYR (Approximate)
Itinerary
4 to 12
20,000.00
Piano Studio rental for practicing + Entrance ticket for gala performance. + Chateux visit/music & cocktail party + one-to-one masterclass + Study tour outside of Paris in the Normandy area (location to be confirmed) + Transport, 4 star accomodation + 3 meals per day + Photography & videography service for the entire event.
12 to 23
21,000.00
Piano Studio rental for practicing + Entrance ticket for gala performance. + Chateux visit/music & cocktail party + one-to-one masterclass + Study tour outside of Paris in the Normandy area (location to be confirmed) + Transport, 4 star accomodation + 3 meals per day + Photography & videography service for the entire event.
24 to 32
22,000.00
Piano Studio rental for practicing + Entrance ticket for gala performance. + Chateux visit/music & cocktail party + one-to-one masterclass + Study tour outside of Paris in the Normandy area (location to be confirmed) + Transport, 4 star accomodation + 3 meals per day + Photography & videography service for the entire event.
*Accompanying parents/guardian
16,000.00
Piano Studio rental for practicing + Entrance ticket for gala performance. + Chateux visit/music & cocktail party + one-to-one masterclass + Study tour outside of Paris in the Normandy area (location to be confirmed) + Transport, 4 star accomodation + 3 meals per day + Photography & videography service for the entire event.

Piano Studio Rental for Practicing
+
One-To-One Masterclass
+
Entrance Ticket for Gala Performance
+
Chateux Visit / Music & Cocktail Party
+
Study Tour outside of Paris in the Normandy area
(location to be confirmed)
+
Transport, 4 stars accommodation
+
3 meals per day
+
Photography & Videography service for the entire event

* Accompanying parents/guardian – optional.
** Expenses not including flight tickets.
*** We are doing our best to provide sponsorships to help defray the cost of expenses. Subject to availability and the organisers reserve the rights on the application of the sponsorships.

Notice of Master Class in the Finals

  1. Finalists shall cooperate with the organiser’s reasonable arrangement of class sequence and time.
  2. Relevant arrangement for Master Class and piano room: The location and time will be released on the subscription account;

Notice of Concerts in the Finals:

  1. The master concert will be hosted by the sponsor during the Paris Finals.
  2. The award ceremony and concerts of the top three players of each group in the finals will be held at the competition venue.
  3. After the competition, a three-day cultural group tour to Paris and Normandy will be available, served with four-star accommodation. The last day may be a Paris castle concert and cocktail party (if with more than 50 participants).

         For further details, please turn to Official Facebook Page.*

Registration Notes:

  1. The finalists shall complete the officially designated application, make the payment and apply for a visa to France at the appointed time.
  2. All contestants and parents traveling to France shall abide by local laws and regulations as well as the rules stipulated by the relevant organiser.

Notes

  • Music college student aged at 10 or above can only apply for the Excellence Category and non-music college students can have a free choice.
  • Competitors whose ages are at the threshold of 2 different categories may choose between the categories if their birthday falls AFTER the 27th of August.

    For example in the year of 2023:

  • If your 18th birthday falls on the 28th of August onwards, you may register for the Graduant category. [or the Superior category if you wish]
  • If your 18th birthday falls on the 27th of August and before you can only opt for the Superior category.

North america

Malaysian Regionals

Date: 28th – 30th August 2023
Venue: Blackbox & Theatre, DPAC, Empire Damansara

NOTE:

– DPAC follows strictly the rules and regulations from MOH as well as the SOP provided by the government of Malaysia to limit the spread of Covid-19.

– The organiser will satisfy all the regulations that has been set-up.

– All participants are required work together and co-operate accordingly.

North America Finals

  • Deadline of the regional preliminary round – April 7th
  • Deadline of the Online preliminary round – May 1st
  • Vancouver Preliminary Round – April 14,15 th , Tom Lee Music Experience Centre, 12180 Riverside Way, Richmond
  • Edmonton Preliminary Round – May 7th , Piano Center Edmonton, 10460 170th Street NW, Edmonton
  • Toronto Preliminary Round – April 21, 2025. Steinway Gallery, 2651 John St. #8, Markham, ON L3R 2W5
  • North America Final – June 14, 2025. UBC Old Auditorium, 6344 Memorial Rd, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2

Rule and Procedures

  • Eligibility: Open to pianists of all nationalities residing in North America. Applicants must participate in the category corresponding to their age.
  • Multiple Entries: Multiple Entries are allowed for participants.
  • Rights: The right of contestants’ audio-visual publicity and the right to participate in performances, concerts and other activities related to the competition is owned by the Organising Committee.
  • The competition is hosted across multiple locations, providing participants with the option to compete either in-person or online.

Category

North American regions will not be offering Strings Category in 2025. Only the
categories listed below will be offered in the Competition

  • Category A (5 years and under)
    Born after January 1, 2020
    Preliminary Round: Maximum duration of 3 minutes, one piece of choice
    Final Round: Maximum duration of 5 minutes, one to two pieces of choice (may
    repeat preliminary round piece)
  • Category B (6-7 years old)
    Born between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2019
    Preliminary Round: Maximum duration of 3 minutes, one piece of choice
    Final Round: Maximum duration of 5 minutes, one to two pieces of choice (may

repeat preliminary round piece)

  • Category A (8-9 years old)
    Born between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2017
    Preliminary Round: Maximum duration of 5 minutes, one piece of choice
    Final Round: Maximum duration of 5 minutes, one to two pieces of choice (may
    repeat preliminary round piece)
  • Category B (10-11 years old)
    Born between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2015
    Preliminary Round: Maximum duration of 5 minutes, one piece of choice
    Final Round: Maximum duration of 8 minutes, one to two pieces of choice (may
    repeat preliminary round piece)
  • Category A (Ages 12-14)
    Born between January 1, 2011 – December 31, 2013
    Preliminary Round: Maximum 8 minutes, one to two pieces of choice
    Final Round: Maximum 12 minutes, one to two pieces of choice (may repeat preliminary round piece)

  • Category B (Ages 15-17)
    Born between January 1, 2008 – December 31, 2010
    Preliminary Round: Maximum 10 minutes, one to two pieces of choice
    Final Round: Maximum 15 minutes, one to two pieces of choice(may repeat preliminary round piece)

  • Ages 18-23
    Born between January 1, 2002 – December 31, 2007
    Preliminary Round: Maximum 10 minutes, one to two pieces of choice from different periods
    Final Round: Maximum 15 minutes, one to two pieces of choice from different periods (may repeat preliminary round piece)
  • For Non-professional Piano Enthusiasts Aged 23 and Above
    Born on or before December 31, 2002
  • Preliminary Round:
    Maximum duration of 7 minutes, one piece of choice
  • Final Round:
    Maximum duration of 10 minutes, one piece of choice (may repeat the piece from the
    preliminary round)

Professional Group A (11 years and under)

  • Born on or after January 1, 2014
  • Preliminary Round:
    • Maximum duration of 12 minutes.
    • One to two pieces of choice.

Professional Group B (12-14 years old)

  • Born between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2013
  • Preliminary Round:
    • Maximum duration of 12 minutes.
    • Requirement:
      1. One étude from the following (excluding specific pieces):
        • Chopin études (excluding op. 10 no. 3, no. 6; op. 25 no. 7)
        • Rachmaninoff Études-Tableaux (excluding op. 39 no. 2)
        • Debussy études
        • Liszt études
        • Scriabin études
      2. One piece of choice.

Professional Group C (15-18 years old)

  • Born between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2010
  • Preliminary Round:
    • Maximum duration of 12 minutes.
    • Requirement:
      1. One étude from the following (excluding specific pieces):
        • Chopin études (excluding op. 10 no. 3, no. 6; op. 25 no. 7)
        • Rachmaninoff Études-Tableaux (excluding op. 39 no. 2)
        • Debussy études
        • Liszt études
        • Scriabin études
      2. One fast movement from a sonata.

Final Round for All Groups:

  • Maximum duration of 15 minutes.
  • Two pieces of choice from different periods (may repeat pieces from the preliminary round).
  • Ages 18-32 
  • Birthdates between January 1, 1993, and December 31, 2007 Preliminary Round 
  • Maximum duration of 15 minutes 
  1. One étude, chosen from the following (specific exclusions noted): 
    • Chopin études (excluding op. 10 no. 3, no. 6; op. 25 no. 7) 
    • Rachmaninoff Études-Tableaux (excluding op. 39 no. 2) 
    • Debussy études 
    • Liszt études
    • Scriabin études
  2. One piece of Romantic music of the contestant's choice 

Final Round 

  • Maximum duration of 20 minutes (may include pieces from the preliminary round) 
  1. Two pieces of choice from different musical periods 
  2. One piece of choice that is either

Four-Hand Piano Group

  • Participants perform on a single piano with four hands.

Ensemble Group

  • Includes but is not limited to:
    • Piano Trios, Quintets
    • String Duos, Trios, Quartets, Quintets, Sextets, Septets, Octets
    • Woodwind Duos, Trios, Quartets, Quintets, Sextets
  • Note: Only one piano is available on-site; other instruments must be provided by the Participants.
  • Preliminary Round:
    • Maximum duration of 10 minutes.
    • One piece of the ensemble’s choice.
  • Final Round:
    • Maximum duration of 15 minutes.
    • One piece of the ensemble’s choice, which can be the same as in the preliminary round or a different piece.

Application Fee

Category Application Fee
Children Group 80
Junior Group 90
Teen Group 100
Young Adult Group 110
Adult Open Category 110
Young Artist Category A 135
Young Artist Category B 135
Young Artist Category C 135
Concertiste 150
Chamber Music Category 135

Prizes & Awards

North America

Preliminary Round Prizes

  • Outstanding Performance: The award will be given to the participant in each group who achieves the highest score, provided that this score is above 95
  • First Prize: For participants scoring 90 and above.
  • Second Prize: For scores between 80 and 89.
  • Third Prize: For scores between 70 and 79.
  • Honourable Mention: For scores between 60 and 69.

All prize winners will receive an electronic certificate from the competition. First and Second Prize winners will receive an invitation to the final round. First Prize winners will receive their invitation one week earlier due to limited spots in the final round. Recipients of the Outstanding Performance award will receive a 100 CAD discount code for the final round application, and their performance videos will be showcased on our website and social media for exposure.

North American Final

Cash Prizes

  • Artiste Category A: 800 CAD for the 1st place winner.
  • Artiste Category B: 500 CAD for the 1st place winner.

 

Medals and Trophies

  • First Place: VIPC Winner Trophy (awarded to the participant with the highest mark in the category, requiring an average mark above 90).
  • Second and Third Place: VIPC Medal for each category.

 

All participants will receive a participation certificate. Potential future performance opportunities

Awards for Each Group
in the Final Round

  • Gold Prize (1 Person): €1000 + Trophy + Certificate + Performance with notable masters
  • Silver Prize (1 Person): €700 + Trophy + Certificate + Performance with notable masters
  • Bronze Prize (1 Person): €300 + Trophy + Certificate + Performance with notable masters
  • Gold Prize (1 Person): €4000 + Trophy + Certificate + Performance with notable masters
  • Silver Prize (1 Person): €2000 + Trophy + Certificate + Performance with notable masters
  • Bronze Prize (1 Person): €1000 + Trophy + Certificate + Performance with notable masters
  • Consolation Prizes (Several Places): Certificate [70 points and above]

(Each Category)

  • Gold Award (1 Person): €300 + Trophy + Certificate + Performance with notable masters
  • 1st Prize (90 points and above): Trophy + Certificate
  • 2nd Prize (80 points and above): Trophy + Certificate
  • 3rd Prize (70 points and above): Trophy + Certificate
  • Consolation Prizes (Several Places): Certificate [60 points and above]

(Each Category)

  • Gold Prize (1 Person): €300 + Trophy + Certificate + Performance with notable masters
  • 1st Prize (90 points and above): Trophy + Certificate + Performance with notable masters
  • 2nd Prize (80 points and above): Trophy + Certificate
  • 3rd Prize (70 points and above): Trophy + Certificate
  • Gold Prize (1 Person): €100 + Trophy + Certificate + Performance with notable masters
  • 1st Prize (90 points and above): Trophy + Certificate + Performance with notable masters
  • 2nd Prize (80 points and above): Trophy + Certificate
  • 3rd Prize (70 points and above): Trophy + Certificate
  • €3000 sponsored by the Galaxie-YFoundation (Paris Art Troupe)
  • Excellence Award (10 Persons): Certificate
  • Potential Award (5 Persons): Certificate
    *Note: If participants in each group are less than 10, the Organizing Committee is entitled to combine the awards.
  • Excellent Tutor Award: Certificate
    *Note: For the tutor of Gold, Silver and Bronze Award winners as well as 1st and 2nd prize winners in non-professional groups

Preliminary Round Prizes

  • Criteria: Participants scoring 90 and above.
  • Prize:
  1. Invitation to the Regional Final and Global Final, winners will receive
  2. Scholarship for attending the Regional Final
  3. customised certificates and covers to commemorate their achievements.
  4. 500 dollars Scholarship: Sponsored by Tom Lee Music/Steinway Gallery. (Only available for in-person participants in Canada)
  • Criteria: Participants scoring 80 and above.
  • Prize: 
  1. Invitation to the Regional Final and Global Final, winners will receive
  2. Customised certificates and covers to commemorate their achievements.
  • Criteria: Participants scoring 70 and above.
  • Prize: 
  1. Invitation to the Regional Final and Global Final, winners will receive
  2. Customised certificates and covers to commemorate their achievements.
  • Criteria: Participants scoring 60 and above.
  • Prize: 
  1. Customised certificates and covers to commemorate their achievements.
  • Criteria: Participants scoring highest in their category with a mark above 93.
  • Prize:
  1. Winners will get everything first prize winners get
  2. Winners will get a customised trophy
  3. Performance opportunity at the award ceremony
  • Criteria: Participants scoring 93 and above.
  • Prize:
  1. 1000 dollars piano scholarship Sponsored by Tom Lee Music/Steinway Gallery.
  2. 300 dollars Global Final scholarship
  3. Customised first-prize medal to commemorate their achievements.
  4. Customised certificates and covers to commemorate their achievements.
  • Criteria: - Participants scoring 85 and above.
  • Prize: 
  1. 500 dollars piano scholarship Sponsored by Tom Lee Music/Steinway Gallery.
  2. 200 dollars Global Final scholarship
  3. Customised second-prize medal to commemorate their achievements.
  4. Customised certificates and covers to commemorate their achievements.
  • Criteria: Participants scoring 80 and above
  • Prize: 
  1. Customised third-prize medal to commemorate their achievements.
  2. Customised certificates and covers to commemorate their achievements.
  • Criteria: Participants scoring 70 and above.
  • Prize: 
  1. Customised certificates and covers to commemorate their achievements.

Final Round

Non-Professional Categories (Children, Junior, Teen, Young Adult, Adult Open, Chamber)

Final Round

Professional Categories (Young Artist, Concertiste)

  • Criteria: Participants scoring highest in their category with a mark above 93.
  • Prize:
  1. 1000 dollars piano scholarship Sponsored by Tom Lee Music/Steinway Gallery.
  2. 500 dollars Global Final scholarship
  3. Customised first-prize medal to commemorate their achievements.
  4. Customised certificates and covers to commemorate their achievements.
  5. Winners will get a customised trophy
  6. Performance opportunity at the award ceremony
  • Criteria: Participants scoring 93 and above.
  • Prize:
  1. 1000 dollars piano scholarship Sponsored by Tom Lee Music/Steinway Gallery.
  2. 300 dollars Global Final scholarship
  3. Customised first-prize medal to commemorate their achievements.
  4. Customised certificates and covers to commemorate their achievements.
  • Criteria: - Participants scoring 85 and above.
  • Prize: 
  1. 500 dollars piano scholarship Sponsored by Tom Lee Music/Steinway Gallery.
  2. 200 dollars Global Final scholarship
  3. Customised second-prize medal to commemorate their achievements.
  4. Customised certificates and covers to commemorate their achievements.
  • Criteria: Participants scoring 80 and above
  • Prize: 
  1. Customised third-prize medal to commemorate their achievements.
  2. Customised certificates and covers to commemorate their achievements.
  • Criteria: Participants scoring 70 and above.
  • Prize: 
  1. Customised certificates and covers to commemorate their achievements.

Preliminary Round Prizes

  • Criteria: Participants scoring 90 and above.
  • Prize:
  1. Invitation to the Regional Final and Global Final, winners will receive
  2. Scholarship for attending the Regional Final
  3. customised certificates and covers to commemorate their achievements.
  4. 500 dollars Scholarship: Sponsored by Tom Lee Music/Steinway Gallery. (Only available for in-person participants in Canada)
  • Criteria: Participants scoring 80 and above.
  • Prize: 
  1. Invitation to the Regional Final and Global Final, winners will receive
  2. Customised certificates and covers to commemorate their achievements.
  • Criteria: Participants scoring 70 and above.
  • Prize: 
  1. Invitation to the Regional Final and Global Final, winners will receive
  2. Customised certificates and covers to commemorate their achievements.
  • Criteria: Participants scoring 60 and above.
  • Prize: 
  1. Customised certificates and covers to commemorate their achievements.
  • Criteria: Participants scoring highest in their category with a mark above 93.
  • Prize:
  1. Winners will get everything first prize winners get
  2. Winners will get a customised trophy
  3. Performance opportunity at the award ceremony
  • Criteria: Participants scoring 93 and above.
  • Prize:
  1. 1000 dollars piano scholarship Sponsored by Tom Lee Music/Steinway Gallery.
  2. 300 dollars Global Final scholarship
  3. Customised first-prize medal to commemorate their achievements.
  4. Customised certificates and covers to commemorate their achievements.
  • Criteria: - Participants scoring 85 and above.
  • Prize: 
  1. 500 dollars piano scholarship Sponsored by Tom Lee Music/Steinway Gallery.
  2. 200 dollars Global Final scholarship
  3. Customised second-prize medal to commemorate their achievements.
  4. Customised certificates and covers to commemorate their achievements.
  • Criteria: Participants scoring 80 and above
  • Prize: 
  1. Customised third-prize medal to commemorate their achievements.
  2. Customised certificates and covers to commemorate their achievements.
  • Criteria: Participants scoring 70 and above.
  • Prize: 
  1. Customised certificates and covers to commemorate their achievements.

Final Round

Non-Professional Categories (Children, Junior, Teen, Young Adult, Adult Open, Chamber)

Preliminary Round Prizes

Professional Categories (Young Artist, Concertiste)

  • Criteria: Participants scoring highest in their category with a mark above 93.
  • Prize:
  1. 1000 dollars piano scholarship Sponsored by Tom Lee Music/Steinway Gallery.
  2. 500 dollars Global Final scholarship
  3. Customised first-prize medal to commemorate their achievements.
  4. Customised certificates and covers to commemorate their achievements.
  5. Winners will get a customised trophy
  6. Performance opportunity at the award ceremony
  • Criteria: Participants scoring 93 and above.
  • Prize:
  1. 1000 dollars piano scholarship Sponsored by Tom Lee Music/Steinway Gallery.
  2. 300 dollars Global Final scholarship
  3. Customised first-prize medal to commemorate their achievements.
  4. Customised certificates and covers to commemorate their achievements.
  • Criteria: - Participants scoring 85 and above.
  • Prize: 
  1. 500 dollars piano scholarship Sponsored by Tom Lee Music/Steinway Gallery.
  2. 200 dollars Global Final scholarship
  3. Customised second-prize medal to commemorate their achievements.
  4. Customised certificates and covers to commemorate their achievements.
  • Criteria: Participants scoring 80 and above
  • Prize: 
  1. Customised third-prize medal to commemorate their achievements.
  2. Customised certificates and covers to commemorate their achievements.
  • Criteria: Participants scoring 70 and above.
  • Prize: 
  1. Customised certificates and covers to commemorate their achievements.

Organiser

  • Regina Caeli Sdn. Bhd.
  • Sino-French Art Practice Association

Location

  • Blackbox & Theatre, DPAC, Empire Damansara
  • Paris, France

Contact

Social Media

Instagram

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